Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review: Square Enix Breathes New Life Into a Classic
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa reviews Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, praising its improved pacing and new puppet-diorama art style while noting the sacrifices made for longtime fans.
Square Enix is celebrating the legendary franchise anniversary with Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, a bold new take on the PlayStation classic originally designed to bring modern players into the fold. According to a recent review by Scott White on IGN South Africa, this latest version zeroes in on fixing the notorious pacing issues that slowed down previous iterations. For a series known for massive, sprawling adventures, streamlining the journey makes the massive time investment much more digestible for today's cross-platform players who juggle multiple live-service titles and massive backlogs.
The most striking change is the visual overhaul, moving away from traditional anime-inspired outlines to a distinct puppet-and-diorama aesthetic. While the tactile look of fabric and muted tones might alienate purists who loved the vibrant colors of Akira Toriyama's original character designs, it successfully introduces a cozy charm that plays well on modern screens. Unfortunately, this fresh coat of paint comes with a few compromises, including the removal of vocation-specific outfit changes that fans enjoyed in the 3DS version. Even with these cuts, the core time-travel narrative about piecing together isolated islands remains as captivating as ever.
Beneath the surface adjustments, the game keeps the classic turn-based RPG mechanics intact while adding fresh layers to the progression system. New Monster Heart accessories bring unique buffs and twists to party building, ensuring veterans still have fresh strategies to master. It is a tricky balancing act between honoring decades of tradition and courting a new generation, but Square Enix has largely delivered a worthwhile entry for anyone looking to dive into a legendary JRPG universe.
Tags: Dragon Quest, JRPG, Square Enix, IGN, Gaming News
Original article: IGN South Africa